Many years ago I heard a speaker describe worship as a time where we can make a connection to God, to other people, and with ourselves. That may not be all that worship means, but I believe making connections is a vital part of worship. If we leave a service of worship without having made a meaningful connection to God, others, and ourselves, no matter how small, then something important is missing.

Making connections is not only at the heart of worship, it really is at the center of the Christian faith and life. We were created for connection to God and others. We live in a world in which meaningful human relationships are becoming more and more fragmented. Things like Facebook and Twitter might make us feel more connected, but it is through a computer or a phone rather than face-to–face. If we don’t take time throughout the week to connect to God through prayer, Bible reading, or serving others, we might feel that God is distant and uninvolved in our lives.

The church in general, and our congregation in particular, is uniquely suited to help us make these connections if we will just take advantage of it. That’s the motivation behind the new “Connection” ministry starting this fall on Wednesday nights. Where better to connect than around a shared meal, with fellowship, conversation, and friendship among the generations? I hope you’ll plan to give Connection a try. If you’ve wanted to connect to God and to others in a our faith family on a deeper level, this is what you’ve been waiting for.

Grace and peace, Don

“MAKING A CONNECTION”

First United Methodist Church of Gainesville August 2014

Prayer Requests 2

Missions and Ministry

2

Children’s 3

Music Ministries 4

Student and Family Ministries

5

Church News 6

Church News

7

Inside this issue:

Rev. Don Yeager, Pastor

Worship Services

8:30 and 10:45 a.m.

Sunday School 9:45

Rev. Don Yeager Pastor

The Informer

August 2014 Worship

Prayers of healing: Patti Tucker, Allen Pierce, Alex Knight, Marcus Rodriguez, Ruth Goudy & Bob Kalina.

Prayers of continuing support for: Cathy & Adan Rodriguez, & Mateo; Rieta Miller, Makenna Henry, Matthew Mlcak, Eisley Henderson, Bob Brown, Tracy Ferree, Gretchen Yeager, James & Loveta Lane, Betty Bennett, Ashley Blakeslee, Pal Hildebrand, Nancy Williams, Shirley Skaggs, Harold “Bud” Sutton, Jerry McWilliams, Gloria Pierpont, Lundy Hooten, Fred Scott, Sara Billie Tyler, Walter Boeko Jr., Kelly Dill, Kelly Foster, Becky Haines, Evalyn Jones, William Cowdrey, Madison Clark, Roumaine Mecca.

Military Personnel: William Snyder, Alisa Davis, Jerry Horn, Bradlee Brackeen, Stephen Ruzicka, Kelsea Stafford Louisiana, Jason Brown, Craig Fiske, John Enderby, Josh McMullin, Jacob Freeman, James Embrey, Tim Deater, Aaron Crewson.

We Hold in Our Prayers...

Please update the church monthly

to keep names on the prayer list.

Page 2 Miss ions and Min istry

WORSHIP SERIES CONTINUES:

“DEAR CHURCH – LETTERS FROM JESUS”

(Series Based on Revelation 2-3,

The Letters to the Seven Churches)

Aug. 3 Sermon: “The Open Door Church” (Rev. 3:7-13)

Aug. 10 Sermon: “The Passionate Church” (Rev. 3:14-22)

(Last in the series)

Aug. 17 Sermon: “The Family Connection” (Gen. 45:1-15

Aug. 24 Sermon: “Spiritual Worship” (Romans 12:1-8)

Aug. 31 Sermon: “The Burning Bush” (Exodus 3:1-15)

Aug. 5 6:00 pm

Staff-Parish Relations Committee

Aug. 11 5:30 pm

Worship Team

Aug. 25 5:30 pm

Finance Committee

(No Trustees meeting in August)

Church Meetings in August

New Class in progress... Looking for a Sunday School Class? Try out our new class lead by Suz-anne Yeager. The curriculum is NOOMA (check it out on You Tube). The class watches a short NOOMA video and then open topi-cal discussions begins. Feel free to check it out...upstairs room # 217!

Children’s Director Message Summer is so much fun! The children have had many opportunities to fill their time with activities and learning offered by our church and conference. Activities like Vacation Bible School, Music and Arts Camp, Bridgeport Camps, Kid’s Day Out. Summer Sunday School where the children are hearing their teachers favorite Bible stories in July and August. In July the children 2 through 5th grade meet in the Fellowship Center with Jane Dobson, LaDonna Mathews and Greta Cuellar to learn about Heifer International. The children learned about how cows, chickens,and sheep are used to help families in need have food and to begin a small farming business. The last Sunday they learned about seeds. During this month the goal was to raise enough money to buy a flock of chicks (which is 10-50 chicks per flock). The children raised $58.93 by they last Sunday and with a generous matching donation plus a few cents more have a grand total of $120.00 to send to Heifer International. This will help 6 families begin to help themselves move from hunger and poverty to good health, schooling and productivity.

5th Grade Bridging, Children’s Promotion, and Bible

Our Birthday Kids

8/2 Barrett Mauldin 8/28 Kolton Rohrbough 8/31 Lucas Sebade 8/31 Tristan Huls

Page 3 Chi ldren’s Min istry

Parents of children entering 6th grade…Mystery Ramble is back!! The trip is an overnight August 20-21. If you have not received any information please contact Bill or Greta ASAP. The trip will include the youth already in middle school. Promotion Sunday is set for August 24 during the Sunday school hour. Nursery through 5th grade will receive their certificates in the Fellowship Center starting at 10:00 a.m. then be dismissed to their classrooms for the new Sunday School year. Parents and Grandparents are encouraged to attend. At the 10:45 a.m. Service of Worship, incoming 2nd grade children will receive a new Bible.

The J.U.G.

contributions for August will be used for

Soles For Souls. Contributions for July were $86.30. And will

be sent to Denton Wesley Foundation.

Kids Day Out/Summer Fun

Page 4 Music Min istry

Music & Music Ministries

CONNECTION: Luau Launch Lunch! Food, Fun, and Faith for all!

Circle Sunday, August 17 on your calendars right now, and make sure you’re at church! We’re having a Luau-themed, come-one, come-all

church potluck lunch after church (noon-2:00) on Sunday, August 17. We’ll be sharing a whole lot more about our CONNECTION Wednesday programming starting on September 3, and en-couraging our whole church family to sign up. So make sure you’re at church that day and bring your favorite dish to share (even make it luau-themed, if you want)! As a special treat, we’ll welcome the beloved and amazingly talented Glenn Wilson to provide some “Potluck Piano” entertainment! No charge to attend, though we do encourage you to bring your check-books so you’re ready to sign up for CONNECTION!

Calling All Interested Singers! Ever thought about singing in Chancel Choir but not sure how to jump in? Or did you sing in Chancel long ago but haven’t had time in a while? We’re having an informal Singin’ n’ Stuff Mixer on Wednesday, August 6 at 7:15 p.m. We’ll have light re-freshments, get to know each other, and do some casual singing. No need to commit long-term just yet – just come see if it’s a meaningful experience for you! See/email Rebecca for more info.

Wednesday, August 6 – 7:15 p.m. Singin’ n’ Stuff Chancel Choir Mixer Monday, August 11 – 5:30 p.m. Worship Team Meeting in Room 113 Wednesday, August 13 – 7:15 p.m. Regular Chancel Rehearsals Resume

Music & Worship Ministries Calendar

LAKE DAY AT LAKE KIOWA

SUNDAY, AUGUST 31

Mark your calendars for Sunday August 31, 1-4 p.m. We will have an all-church event at the Pavilion at Lake Kiowa. We will be grilling with plenty of time for boating, swimming, relaxing, and fellowship. It will be a good time to get better acquainted with other members of our church family.

Student & Family Director

Page 5 Student and Fami ly Min istr ies

Senior High Mission Trip

On Sunday July 20, our Senior High youth left on a mission trip to Kansas City, Missouri. While staying at Red Bridge United Methodist Church, they paint, re-pair and build if necessary, while making new friends in Christ.

Page 6 Church News

Thank you for your donation. Your kindness to the poor is remembered in heaven and celebrated here on earth. M. Bauldin, Exec. Director VISTO

Thank You

Thank you for your contribution to the Whispers of Hope Horse Farm, a 501(c)3 program designated to enriching the lives of mentally and physically challenged individuals utilizing equine therapy. Blessings, Mary E. Pearce Founder & Exe. Dr. Whispers of Hope Horse Farm

Thank you for your gift to Imagine No Malaria supporting the United Methodist Church’s commitment to eliminate malaria as a major source of death and suffering in Africa by 2015. Bishop Thomas J Bickerton Chair, UMC Global Health Initiative

Thank you for your generous donation, I have you listed as a gold sponsor for the Golf Tournament. Patsy Reed Office Mgr. Habitat for Humanity

Thank You for helping us continue to assure a high level of emergency care for those who deserve the best. Valley View Volunteer Fire Dept.

Thank you so much for your gift. You generosity will allow us to continue to recruit and train solid, caring individuals to advocate for children during a very scary, unstable time in their lives. Vicki Robertson Exec. Dr., CASA

On behalf of the High Plains division staff and volunteers of the American Cancer society, I sincerely thank you for your recent contribution. Mike Dany, Exe. Vice Pres. Relay For Life

We are overwhelmed by your generosity! You are a part of making sure children in West Dallas learn and grow through education. At Wesley-Rankin, with your help we are seeing this belief come to life in the eyes of our children, on the faces of our parents, and in the smiles of our seniors. Blessed beyond measure, Rev. Sarah Squires, Exe Dr. Wesley-Rankin Community Center

The next Western Heritage Ministry event is coming up at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 11. It will be hosted by Ron and Mitzie Underwood and held at Teddy Johnson’s arena, which is on County Road 135, north of Gainesville. To get there, take the road behind CVS (north Clements Street – this is CR 135) and just keep following it north to Teddy Johnson’s place. If you run into the Red River, you’ve gone too far!

This event is designed for the summer weather. It will be held in the shade of the arena, with delicious food, a time of worship, and some demonstrations by our talented riders and trainers. You don’t need to bring any food – all will be provided by the Underwoods.

On Sept. 27 we will have a gathering at John and Holly Oliveira’s, with trail riding, Brazilian barbecue, worship, and fun. Mark your calendar now.

Western Heritage News

Be Kind To Our Guest: “Park Far and Sit Near”

Please help us make our Sunday morning guests feel more comfortable by leaving the parking spaces closest to the church and the seats at the rear of the sanctuary for them. Thanks!

Thank you for your generous gift. On behalf of those we serve. Thank you for standing with us to provide comfort and hope during times of need. Gail McGovern, Pres & CEO, American Red Cross

Dear Family Church Members, We thank you all for the cards, food, quilt and many prayers! We love you all and thank you once again. God has blessed us with our church. Fred & Dottie Bradley

Health Kits For Umcor—Summer Mission Effort

Soles For Souls /August Communion Offering

Thanks to your generous support, we sent 51 health kits to the UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief) Sager Brown Depot in Louisiana last week. These will be stored there until they are needed somewhere in the world to respond to a crisis. There's still time to make and donate a health kit this summer. Please see the table in the Pecan Street atrium for printed instructions.

Page 7 Church News

Can you believe that it is time to buy school supplies and clothing for the new school year? Our church is having our "Soles for Souls" shoe drive during the next few weeks. In the many years, this has been FUMC's mission project. Our goal is to help children have a new pair of shoes to begin the school year. Please bring new children's shoes (closed toes--no flip flops or sandals). There is a box in the donation corner for the shoes. Many of you have provided several pairs each year. Some parents or grandparents, buy a pair of shoes to share, when they purchase new shoes for their own children. If you would rather donate money, that also helps. We use the cash donations to buy gift cards that are given to VISTO and the Boys and Girls club. The shoes will be dedicated on Sunday, August 10. They will then be delivered to the area schools. The August 3rd. communion offering has been designated for "Soles for Souls". The Children’s JUG for the month of August will also be used for Children’s Shoes. When everyone does a little, it adds up to a lot. Thank you for your help. God LOVES a cheerful giver. We know it is more blessed to give than to receive. May God bless you as you bless others. REMEMBER: NEW SHOES ARE GOOD FOR THE SOUL OF A CHILD. The Mission Team

New Members

We welcomed two new members to our church family during the month of July. Teresa Wassong joined our church by renewal of faith on Sunday, July 13, during the 10:45 service. Teresa is married to James Hail and lives in Gainesville.

Amy Brown also joined our church by transfer of membership from a United Methodist Church in Lafayette, LA. Amy is married to Blair Brown and they are parents of William Hudson Brown. They live in Gainesville.

William Hudson Brown, son of Blair and Amy Brown, was baptized at the 10:45 service on Sunday, July 13 with several family members present for the occasion. Hudson was born on Nov. 8, 2013 in Denton.

214 S. Denton Street

Gainesville, Texas 76240

We’re on the Web! www.fumcgainesville.com

Phone: 940-665-3926

Fax: 940-665-4372

office@fumcgainesville.com

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

First United Methodist Church Non-Profit Organization

U.S. Postage PAID

Permit No. 146 Gainesville, TX 76240

Your Church Staff

Rev. Don Yeager, Pastor Bill Mauldin, Dir. Student /Family Ministry Sharon Nichols, Administration Rebecca Garrett, Dir. Music Ministry Greta Cuellar, Christian Education Director Marlene Williams, Accompanist Jean Smelcer, Receptionist & Dir. Communications Melodye McLeroy, Organist Connie Hoberer, The Learning Tree Director Carolyn Hook, 8:30 Pianist New Staff E-mail Addresses: Don Yeager: pastor.fumcgainesvilletx@gmail.com Greta Cuellar: christianed.fumcgainesvilletx@gmail.com Sharon Nichols: finance.fumcgainesvilletx@gmail.com Bill Mauldin: students.fumcgainesvilletx@gmail.com Jean Smelcer: office.fumcgainesvilletx@gmail.com Rebecca Garrett: music.fumcgainesvilletx@gmail.com

105 S. Denton Street Gainesville, Texas 76240

Monday / Tuesday / Thursday / Friday 10:00 a.m.—4:00 p.m.

665-7939 Volunteers welcome!

Second Time Around Informer Article Deadline

All articles and information for September. 2014 issue of “The Informer” need to be submitted no later than Monday, August 25 you may drop off your information to the church office or e-mail to office.fumcgainesvilletx@gmail.com

8/2014

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The Mission of First United Methodist Church is to know Christ and make Him known.